Football: Injuries don't concern Fort Pierce Central coach

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Fort Pierce Central High School's offensive line is in a state of flux, but Cobras coach Josh Shaffer isn't about to panic.

"I feel very good about the line," Shaffer said. "I felt good from the summer and fall camp, and I still feel good about them. They have to continue to stay healthy and continue to get better. We have some very talented sophomore backups who need to get more reps and just need to mature.

"I just don't tell them how good they are all the time because I don't want them to get too high on themselves."

Central was without starting center and leader Andrew Guthart (knee) in the Cobras' 22-16 win against Kissimmee-Osceola on Friday. Guard Robby Rudoff (foot) was injured during the game and did not return.

Seniors Garrhett Mittwede and Toby Johnson filled in at center and guard, respectively. The Cobras had only 35 rushing yards against Osceola, but Shaffer said that was attributed to the Kowboys keeping eight defenders in the box throughout the game.

"Garrhett and Toby did a tremendous job," Shaffer said. "The whole line did. They've been working hard, they've been very well coached and they're buying into the system. Center is one of the toughest positions to play because you can't have any bad snaps — which always makes you nervous. He did a tremendous job."

Guthart is expected to play Thursday against Martin County, but Rudoff's status is uncertain. If Rudoff can't play, Shaffer said Guthart could be moved to guard this week with Mittwede staying at center.

"Having Andrew back definitely helps," Shaffer said. "But Osceola was good for us. We got some valuable playing time for our backups."

MORRIS MAKING PLAYS FOR TITANS

Treasure Coast senior Ascarra Morris usually is one of the lightest players on the field, but that hasn't stopped him from making a major impact.

Treasure Coast coach Irvin Jones and Port St. Lucie coach Hilary Poole talked about the effect the 5-foot-8, 140-pound Morris made in the Titans' 21-10 win Friday against the Jaguars.

"He starts and stops faster than any kid I've coached," Jones said. "Sometimes he makes mistakes, but he starts and stops so fast that he gets in the right direction real quick. He is so disruptive and was making plays all over.

"The biggest thing with him is that he's a great leader. Everybody looks to him."

QUICK SLANTS

Poole said Port St. Lucie must perform better on first down. The Jaguars had only four first downs, in large part because the team was in too many second- and third-and-long situations.

John Carroll quarterback Jordan Watkins is developing a good rapport with senior receiver Dan Culumber. Culumber has 18 receptions this season and was targeted on key third and fourth downs against Coral Springs Charter.

QUOTABLE

"Martin County, South Fork, Okeechobee, Fort Pierce Westwood, (St. Lucie West) Centennial, Jensen Beach, Port St Lucie — we're all the same team," Okeechobee coach Chris Branham said. "I'm not downsizing anybody. We all have things that we have to get done and things that we have to improve on. If you look so far at who has played each other, they're all very close and it's the team that made the play when it was close that wins the game. ... There's a bunch of teams that are very equal."